Method and apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well

Abstract

In a hydrocarbon well, a speed measurement is performed at substantially the same level as a determination of the proportions of the phases of the fluid flowing along the well in at least one local region. To this end, local sensors are placed on the hinged arms of a centering device, and a speed-measuring spinner is placed between the arms.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of 
       placing a data-acquisition apparatus, having centering means, a least one local sensor, and a flow speed-measuring means, within the hydrocarbon well;  
       allowing a multiphase fluid to flow past said data-acquisition apparatus;  
       operating the centering means, thereby centering said speed-measuring means in the central region of the well and positioning said at least one local sensor at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as said centering means;  
       measuring the speed of the multiphase fluid flowing past said hydrocarbon well using said speed-measuring means;  
       determining proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid using said local sensor.  
     
     
       2. A method according to claim  1 , in which the proportions of the fluid phases present are determined in a plurality of local regions surrounding said central region. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim  2 , in which the proportions of the fluid phases present are determined in a plurality of local regions that are regularly distributed around the central region and that are situated at substantially equal distances therefrom. 
     
     
       4. A method of acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of 
       placing a data-acquisition apparatus, having centering means, a least one local sensors, a flow speed-measuring means, and means for measuring the well diameter within the hydrocarbon well;  
       allowing a multiphase fluid to flow past said data-acquisition apparatus;  
       operating the centering means, thereby centering said speed-measuring means means in the central region of the well and positioning said speed-measuring means, said well diameter measuring means and said local sensors at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as said centering means;  
       measuring the speed of the multiphase fluid flowing past said hydrocarbon well using said speed-measuring means;  
       measuring the diameter of the well at substantially that level in the longitudinal direction;  
       determining proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid using said at least one local sensor.  
     
     
       5. A method according to claim  4 , in which the proportions of the fluid phases present are determined in four local regions distributed at 90° intervals relative to one another around the central region, and the diameter of the well is measured in two orthogonal directions each passing substantially through two of the local regions. 
     
     
       6. A method of acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of 
       placing a data-acquisition apparatus, having centering means, a least one local sensors, a flow speed-measuring means, and means for measuring a possible ovalization of the well, within the hydrocarbon well;  
       allowing a multiphase fluid to flow past said data-acquisition apparatus;  
       operating the centering means, thereby centering said speed-measuring means and positioning said speed-measuring means in the central region of the well, said means for measuring means a possible ovalization of the well and said local sensors at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as said centering means;  
       measuring the speed of the multiphase fluid flowing past said hydrocarbon well using said speed-measuring means;  
       measuring possible ovalization of the well;  
       determining proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid using said at least one local sensor.  
     
     
       7. A method of acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of 
       placing a data-acquisition apparatus, having centering means, a least one local sensor, and A flow speed-measuring means, within the hydrocarbon well;  
       allowing a multiphase fluid to flow past said data-acquisition apparatus;  
       operating the centering means, thereby centering said speed-measuring means in the central region of the well and positioning said at least one local sensor at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as said centering means;  
       measuring the speed of the multiphase fluid flowing past said hydrocarbon well using said speed-measuring means;  
       determining proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid using said local sensor; and  
       determining a reference vertical direction.  
     
     
       8. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising speed-measuring means for measuring over the flow section of the well the speed of a multiphase fluid flowing along the well in the central region thereof, centering means for holding the speed-measuring means in the central region of the well and at least one local sensor, each local sensor being suitable for determining the proportions of the phases of the fluid in which it is immersed and whereby the speed-measuring means, the centering means and the local sensors are situated substantially at the same level in the longitudinal direction of the well. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim  8  comprising a plurality of local sensors regularly distributed around the speed-measuring means, at substantially equal distances from said speed measuring means. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim  9 , in which the centering means comprise at least three arms in the form of hinged V-linkages, a top end of each being pivotally mounted on a central body carrying the speed-measuring means between the articulated arms, and a bottom end of each being hinged to a moving bottom endpiece, resilient means being interposed between the central body and each of the articulated arms to press the arms against the wall of the well, and each of the articulated arms carrying one of the local sensors substantially at the level of the speed-measuring means. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to claim  10 , in which the centering means comprise four arms at 90° intervals relative to another around a longitudinal axis of the central body. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim  11 , in which the speed measuring means further comprise means for measuring the diameter of the well between each diametrically opposite pair of arms about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim  12 , in which the means for measuring well diameter comprise two differential transformers supported by the central body. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim  10 , in which means housed in the central body are provided to determine a reference vertical direction substantially intersecting the longitudinal axis of the central body, when the well is deviated. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to claim  14 , in which the means for determining a reference vertical direction comprise a potentiometer ( 58 ) having a flyweight ( 60 ). 
     
     
       16. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising speed-measuring means for measuring over the flow section of the well the speed of a multiphase fluid flowing along the well in the central region thereof, centering means for holding the speed-measuring means in the central region of the well and at least one local conductivity sensor, each local sensor being suitable for determining the proportions of the phases of the fluid in which it is immersed and whereby the speed-measuring means, the centering means and the local sensors are situated substantially at the same level in the longitudinal direction of the well. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising speed-measuring means and well diameter measuring means for measuring over the flow section of the well the flow rate of a multiphase fluid flowing along the well in the central region thereof, centering means for holding the speed-measuring means in the central region of the well and at least one local sensor, each local sensor being suitable for determining the proportions of the phases of the fluid in which it is immersed and whereby the speed-measuring means, the centering means and the local sensors are situated substantially at the same level in the longitudinal direction of the well. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well comprising: 
       A spinner that mechanically measures the speed of a multiphase fluid flowing though the hydrocarbon well at a central location within the hydrocarbon well;  
       A plurality of local sensors that determine proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid;  
       A mechanical assembly having a plurality of arms and a plurality of wheels or rollers, that when deployed, positions said spinner at the central location within the hydrocarbon well and positions said local sensors into a plurality of local regions at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as the central location and brings said wheels or rollers into contact with the wall of said hydrocarbon well.  
     
     
       19. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well comprising: 
       A spinner that mechanically measures the speed of a multiphase fluid flowing though the hydrocarbon well at a central location within the hydrocarbon well;  
       A plurality of local sensors that determine proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid;  
       A mechanical assembly having a plurality of arms and a plurality of wheels or rollers, that when deployed, positions said spinner at the central location within the hydrocarbon well and positions said local sensors into a plurality of local regions at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as the central location and brings said wheels or rollers into contact with the wall of said hydrocarbon well;  
       A potentiometer having a flyweight, connected to said mechanical assembly, for determining a reference vertical direction.  
     
     
       20. Apparatus for acquiring data in a hydrocarbon well, comprising: 
       A spinner that mechanically measures the speed of a multiphase fluid flowing though the hydrocarbon well at a central location within the hydrocarbon well;  
       A plurality of local sensors that determine proportions of fluid phases present within the multiphase fluid;  
       A mechanical assembly having a plurality of arms carrying the local sensors and a plurality of wheels or rollers, that when deployed, positions said spinner at the central location within the hydrocarbon well and positions said local sensors into a plurality of local regions at substantially the same level in the longitudinal direction as the central location and brings said wheels or rollers into contact with the wall of said hydrocarbon well.